The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has closed down 471 pharmaceutical and patent medicine stores for breaching pharmaceutical practice regulations in parts of Edo State.
Registrar of PCN, Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, confirmed the closure after the Council’s one-week operation in Edo South Senatorial District.
According to him, the operations were carried out in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia North-East, Egor, and Uhunmwonde local government areas in Edo South.
Addressing newsmen during a press conference in Benin on Friday to mark this year’s World Pharmacists Day, Ahmed, represented by the Head of Enforcement PCN, Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, said the PCN would continue to entrench its cardinal focus on Practice, Premises, and Personnel in pharmaceutical practice in the country.
He said, “A total of 743 premises, comprising 196 pharmacies and 547 patent medicine stores, were inspected. One individual was arrested for obstructing PCN inspectors in the discharge of their duties.
“Consequently, a total of 471 premises were sealed for contravening relevant regulations, including 77 pharmacies, 174 patent medicine stores, and 220 unlicensed shops. Furthermore, four premises were served with compliance directives, necessitating corrective actions to address identified non-compliances.”
He said that during the enforcement exercise, various regulatory breaches—including operation of unlicensed premises, non-compliance with premises registration renewal requirements, unauthorised clinical practice, unauthorised access to controlled substances, stockholding more than approved limits as stipulated in the Patent Medicine List, training of apprentices, and wholesalers indulging in retail operations in contravention of their licensure terms—were noticed.
He said, “The enforcement of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines is a statutory responsibility entrusted to the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, aimed at ensuring the availability of safe and efficacious medicines nationwide.
“The pharmaceutical sector in Nigeria has been bedevilled by numerous challenges, including chaotic drug distribution networks, proliferation of unlicensed and illegal pharmaceutical premises, and unauthorised handling of medicinal products, thereby necessitating stringent regulatory measures.
“Key areas of emphasis include ensuring compliance with established codes of conduct and professional standards, the maintenance of controlled environments to safeguard the quality and potency of medicinal products, and assessing the competency levels of personnel involved in pharmaceutical practice to ensure they meet the required standards.
“The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) advises the people in Edo State and beyond to exercise caution when sourcing medicines, ensuring they patronise licensed and qualified premises to avoid potential health risks.”
